Finance Ministry: No new gambling licences issued under Madani govt
The Finance Ministry denies issuing new gambling licences under the Madani government, clarifying that existing licences remain unchanged.Summary
The Finance Ministry has clarified that the Madani government has not issued any new gambling licences or increased the number of gambling premises. The ministry responded to remarks by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, stating that his comments could mislead the public into believing the government was not controlling gambling activities. The ministry emphasized that throughout the federal government's administration from 2020 to 2022, there were no proposals or decisions to ban licensed gambling activities nationwide or abolish existing licences. It noted that while the Pakatan Harapan government in 2020 reduced the number of special draws from 22 to eight a year, the Perikatan Nasional and Barisan Nasional governments later increased them back to 22. The Madani government subsequently reversed this increase, reducing the frequency to eight times a year. The ministry confirmed that the number of licences and permits in force remains based on approvals from the 1990s and that strict conditions have been imposed on licence holders. The government continues to adopt a firm approach by limiting licensed gambling activities and enforcing regulations against unlicensed and online gambling.
(Source：Malay Mail)